The practical driving test lasts about 40 minutes. The total appointment usually takes around an hour when you include the pre-test checks, the eyesight test, vehicle safety questions, and receiving your result at the end.
During those 40 minutes, you will complete an eyesight check, two vehicle safety questions (the "show me tell me" questions), around 20 minutes of general driving, around 20 minutes of independent driving, and one reversing manoeuvre. About one in three tests also includes an emergency stop.
Source: GOV.UK, DVSA
The DVSA sets the fees for both the theory test and the practical test. These are the current prices for 2026.
| Test | Cost |
|---|---|
| Theory test (car) | £23 |
| Practical test (weekday) | £62 |
| Practical test (evening, weekend, or bank holiday) | £75 |
Source: GOV.UK, DVSA driving test fees
For a full breakdown of every cost involved in learning to drive, including lessons, private practice, and insurance after you pass, see our guide to how much it costs to learn to drive in 2026.
These are the DVSA test fees only. Most learners also pay their driving instructor to use their car on test day, which is usually an extra charge on top of the normal lesson rate. If you fail and need to retake, you pay the full test fee again. A provisional driving licence costs £34 online or £43 by post.
The test follows a set structure. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared on the day.
You will meet your examiner in the waiting room at the test centre. They will ask to see your provisional driving licence (it must be the photocard version) and check your identity. If you have a theory test pass certificate, you may be asked to show that too, although the examiner can usually verify this electronically.
Make sure you bring your provisional driving licence to the test. Without it, the test cannot go ahead and you will lose your fee.
Before you get in the car, the examiner will ask you to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres. That is roughly five car lengths. If you cannot read it, the test ends immediately. If you normally wear glasses or contact lenses for driving, make sure you are wearing them.
The examiner will ask you two vehicle safety questions. One "tell me" question is asked before you drive (you explain how you would carry out a check). One "show me" question is asked while you are driving (you demonstrate a check). Getting one or both wrong counts as a single minor fault, not a fail. The full list of questions is covered in the section below.
You will drive for around 20 minutes on a variety of roads. The examiner assesses whether you can drive safely, follow the rules of the road, and respond to other road users. They will give you directions as you go.
For about 20 minutes of the test, you will drive independently. In most tests, you follow directions shown on a sat nav provided by the examiner. In some tests, you follow road signs instead. You are not being tested on navigation. If you take a wrong turn, that is fine as long as you drive safely. The examiner will help you get back on route.
You will be asked to complete one reversing manoeuvre. It will be one of these:
You will only be asked to do one manoeuvre, not all of them.
About one in three tests includes an emergency stop. The examiner will ask you to pull over, explain what they would like you to do, and then signal for you to stop by saying "stop" and raising their hand. You should react quickly but safely.
The DVSA publishes an official list of vehicle safety questions. Your examiner will pick one "tell me" question and one "show me" question from this list. Getting one or both wrong results in one minor fault. It will not cause you to fail on its own.
The questions below are based on the current DVSA list. The DVSA updates these from time to time, so it is worth checking the latest version on GOV.UK before your test.
The examiner asks you to explain how you would carry out a safety check. You do not need to physically do it.
| # | Question | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey. | Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off. The car should not pull to one side. |
| 2 | Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked. | Check the manufacturer's manual or the sticker inside the driver's door. Use a reliable pressure gauge when the tyres are cold. Do not forget the spare tyre. Replace the valve caps afterwards. |
| 3 | Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash. | The rigid part of the head restraint should be at least as high as the eye or top of the ears and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. |
| 4 | Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road. | The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, all the way around. Check for cuts, bulges, and uneven wear. Use a tread depth gauge or the 20p test. |
| 5 | Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working. | Turn on the ignition and switch on the headlights. Walk around the vehicle to check the front and rear lights are all working. You would need someone to help you or check the reflection against a wall or window. |
| 6 | Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system. | A warning light on the dashboard should illuminate if there is a fault with the ABS. |
| 7 | Tell me how you would check the direction indicators are working. | Turn on the ignition, apply the indicators, and walk around the vehicle to check they are all working. Use the hazard warning switch to check all indicators at once. |
The examiner asks you to demonstrate a check while you are driving. Only do it when it is safe to do so.
| # | Question | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | When it is safe to do so, show me how you would wash and clean the rear windscreen. | Operate the rear windscreen washer and wiper. |
| 2 | When it is safe to do so, show me how you would wash and clean the front windscreen. | Operate the front windscreen washer and wiper. |
| 3 | When it is safe to do so, show me how you would set the rear demister. | Press the rear demister button (usually marked with a rectangle and wavy lines). |
| 4 | When it is safe to do so, show me how you would operate the horn. | Press the horn on the steering wheel. |
| 5 | When it is safe to do so, show me how you would demist the front windscreen. | Set the blowers to the windscreen, turn up the temperature, and turn on the air conditioning if the car has it. |
| 6 | When it is safe to do so, show me how you would open and close a side window. | Use the electric window switch or manual winder to open and close the window. |
| 7 | When it is safe to do so, show me how you would switch on your dipped headlights. | Locate and operate the headlight switch to the dipped beam setting. |
Source: GOV.UK, DVSA vehicle safety questions
You can get up to 15 minor faults (also called driving faults) and still pass your test. If you get 16 or more, you fail.
However, one serious or dangerous fault means an automatic fail, regardless of how few minors you have.
A minor fault is something that is not ideal but does not create danger. For example, stalling the car once at a quiet junction, or checking your mirrors slightly late.
A serious fault is something that could be dangerous. For example, pulling out at a junction without properly checking for traffic, or driving too close to a parked car.
A dangerous fault is something that causes actual danger to you, the examiner, another road user, or a pedestrian. For example, causing another driver to brake or swerve to avoid you.
If you make the same minor fault repeatedly, the examiner may upgrade it to a serious fault. A pattern of the same mistake suggests a deeper problem with that skill.
The national pass rate for the practical driving test is approximately 48%. This means that more than half of all candidates fail on their first attempt.
Pass rates vary significantly by test centre. Some centres in quieter areas have pass rates above 60%, while busier urban centres may have rates closer to 40%. The difficulty of local road conditions, traffic density, and the types of junctions near the centre all play a role.
Pass rates also vary by gender and age group. Younger candidates (aged 17 to 19) tend to have slightly higher pass rates than older learners, according to DVSA data.
Source: DVSA driving test pass rate statistics
The DVSA publishes data on the most common reasons for failing the practical test. These are the faults that come up most often:
Most of these come down to observation and awareness. Practising these specific skills in your lessons can make a real difference.
Source: DVSA, top 10 reasons for failing the driving test
These are practical tips that can genuinely help on the day.
Practise in the area around your test centre. Get to know the junctions, roundabouts, and tricky roads near the centre. Your instructor will know the common test routes and can help you practise them.
Take a mock test. Ask your instructor to run a full mock test under real conditions. This gives you a feel for the time pressure and helps identify any weak areas before the real thing.
Practise in different conditions. Try to get experience driving in the rain, in the dark, and on busy roads. The more situations you have driven in, the less likely you are to be thrown by conditions on the day.
Arrive early and bring everything you need. Get to the test centre at least 10 minutes early. Bring your provisional driving licence (photocard). If you arrive late or forget your licence, the test will not go ahead and you will lose your fee.
Take your time. There is no rush during the test. If you are not sure about something, it is better to wait and be safe than to rush and make a mistake. The examiner is not timing how fast you complete things.
Once you have passed your driving test, you will need car insurance before you can drive on your own. New drivers typically pay higher premiums, but comparing quotes can help you find a better deal. You can compare car insurance from over 130 UK insurers via Brumble.
You can book your practical driving test online through GOV.UK. To book, you will need:
Waiting times vary by area and by time of year. Some test centres have waits of several weeks. The DVSA recommends booking your test as soon as you and your instructor feel you are close to being test-ready, then continuing to practise while you wait.
Be cautious of third-party booking websites that charge extra fees on top of the DVSA price. The official booking page is on GOV.UK.
Many new drivers save money on insurance by choosing a telematics (black box) policy, which monitors your driving and can reduce your premium if you drive safely. It is worth considering once you have passed your test.
The practical driving test lasts about 40 minutes. The total appointment usually takes around an hour when you include the pre-test checks and receiving your result.
A weekday practical test costs £62. An evening or weekend test costs £75. The theory test costs £23. These are the official DVSA fees.
You can get up to 15 minor faults and still pass. One serious or dangerous fault means an automatic fail, regardless of how many minors you have.
These are vehicle safety questions asked during your practical test. The examiner asks one "tell me" question (you explain how you would carry out a check) and one "show me" question (you demonstrate a check while driving). They are chosen from an official list published by the DVSA. Getting one or both wrong counts as a single minor fault.
The national pass rate for the practical driving test is approximately 48%. Pass rates vary by test centre, with some quieter centres having rates above 60% and busier urban centres closer to 40%.
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